LESOTHO ELECTION UPDATE: RULING PARTY DITCHES DEBATE

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SUBJECT: LESOTHO ELECTION UPDATE: RULING PARTY DITCHES DEBATE

REF: A) MASERU 0060 B) MASERU 0037 C) MASERU 0024 D) MASERU 0020 AND PREVIOUS

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1. SUMMARY: Shocking many observers, the governing Lesotho
Congress for Democracy (LCD) pulled out of Lesotho's only
political debate between major party leaders just hours before
the event on February 10 -- one week before the election. The
withdrawal came as a surprise and disappointment to LCD members
in the audience and to the general public who had anticipated a
lively debate. (COMMENT: We have learned that there was an
extensive discussion within the LCD executive committee before
the decision was reached. END COMMENT.) The debate between All
Basotho Convention (ABC) Leader Thomas Thabane and Basotho
National Party (BNP) Leader Major General Justin Lekhanya
focused on fundamental issues such as jobs and economic
development, but also slipped into such negative areas as
Chinese-bashing and AGOA-skepticism. The day after the debates
marked the end of the campaign season as the three largest
parties, the ABC, the BNP, and the LCD held huge exuberant but
peaceful rallies in different parts of Maseru. END SUMMARY.



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Ruling Party Ditches Debate

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2. In a surprise last-minute move, the leader of the governing
LCD, Prime Minister Mosisili, following a lengthy internal
debate, declined to participate in Lesotho's only large public
political debate between major party leaders on February 10.
Mosisili's empty chair sat on stage. In a letter read by the
debate moderator, Mosisili indicated that he was advised by his
party's national executive committee not to participate in the
debate. No further explanation has been offered publicly in
subsequent days, although we understand a number of ranking LCD
members did want to go forward with the debate. Members of the
media, local observers, and opposition supporters immediately
speculated that this strategic move was chosen as Thabane, who
was previously the LCD's spokesperson prior to his October
defection, is an eloquent orator who might have out-performed
Mosisili in a public forum.



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Did State Media Turn Off the ABC's Mic?

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3. Saturday's debate, attended by an Embassy officer, NDI
staff, and international election observers, was broadcast on
state radio and television, and the live coverage of the debate
was subject to numerous unexplained interruptions. Many of the
interruptions coincided with ABC Leader Thabane's time answering
questions. In a dramatic moment, Thabane, after being handed a
note, stated that he would not continue with the debate until
broadcast on state radio had resumed, prompting a raucous
reaction from the crowd of several thousand, frantic
deliberations among debate organizers, and subsequent assurances
by officials that broadcasts were continuing. Strong reactions
and speculation about these alleged broadcast interruptions have
continued in the days following the debate.



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Debate Topics: AGOA and the Chinese Take a Beating

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4. Thabane and Lekhanya responded to questions from a
three-person panel of academics and consultants focused on
subsidizing agriculture, AGOA, HIV/AIDS, education, Chinese
businessmen, health services, and the economic situation. In an
odd moment, BNP Leader Lekhanya stated that AGOA hadn't helped
the Basotho people, but had done more to help Chinese
businessmen. The former military leader also criticized
Chinese-run textile mills for paying "slave wages" and
contributing to the country's poverty. (NOTE: Lesotho's
apparel industry, an AGOA success story, employs over 40,000
Basotho. END NOTE.) While most of the anti-Chinese rhetoric
came from Major General Lekhanya, Thabane did not counter it.

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Large, Peaceful Rallies

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5. February 11th marked the end of mass political campaign
season. The three largest parties held rallies across Maseru
which were attended by thousands of supporters clad in their
party colors and chanting political slogans. Embassy personnel
witnessed an unusually large police presence across the city,
and a peaceful atmosphere was maintained. According to the
Lesotho Mounted Police Service (LMPS) spokesperson, there were
no reports on violence or intimidation. The capital breathed a
collective sigh of relief as such large, highly charged events
passed without incident.



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Feverish Intrigue on Eve of Election

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6. COMMENT: The national debate was a healthy exercise for
Lesotho's democratization, albeit replete with the usual drama
and intrigue that has become standard in this country's
political landscape. To date, the LCD has not offered any
explanation as to why they declined to participate in the
national debate. The Media Institute of Lesotho (MILES) has
staunchly criticized the Media Monitoring Panel for not giving
the media a chance to ask questions during the debate on behalf
of the general public. Opposition parties continue to argue that
the LCD has used its governing position to monopolize state
television and radio. As more than 300 international observers
stream into town to observe the National Assembly election on
February 17, every ear in Lesotho continues to tune into the
constant waves of rumor, innuendo, and anxiety which punctuates
Lesotho's societal discourse on the eve of elections. END
COMMENT.
PERRY